Coleman Concerns for Serbia

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Joe Allen remains a fitness doubt for Wales as they prepare for Tuesday's 2014 World Cup qualifier with Serbia.

Liverpool midfielder Allen missed Friday's 2-0 opening Pool A loss to Belgium because of illness, but he has travelled with the squad to Serbia.

He took part in his first training session since Thursday on Monday night.

"We don't know if we've got him back yet," said manager Chris Coleman, who will be without defender James Collins after his sending off against Belgium.

Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, forward Craig Bellamy, defender Neil Taylor and midfielders Jack Collison, Joe Ledley and Andrew Crofts remain unavailable because of injury.

But David Vaughan could return to make his first appearance of the season after a knee injury.

Vaughan was a late addition to the Wales bench against Belgium despite having taken a limited part in training in the lead up to the match.

The Sunderland player is a ready-made replacement should Allen fail to recover from the virus that forced him out of the team to face Belgium on the morning of the match.

"On the back of the disappointment of losing the other players it was a bitter pill to swallow," added Coleman of Allen's loss.

"So we'll see how he gets on [in training]. It's his first session for four days, but fingers crossed, even if he can play some part, it'll be something."

Allen's loss forced Ashley Williams into an unfamiliar role as a holding midfielder, although he slotted back into the back four after Collins was sent off on 26 minutes.

Williams and Darcy Blake are expected to continue their partnership that pleased Coleman in Cardiff, with Adam Matthews and Chris Gunter the full-backs.

One possible change could see Gareth Bale switch from the right to the left flank, his more familiar role for club side Tottenham Hotspur.

Bale looked more of a threat after making such a switch in the final stages against Belgium.

He has started recent games on the right for Wales, but mainly to accommodate Bellamy in his favoured position on the left.

But with Bellamy missing, Coleman could be tempted to use Bale in a position where he has made such an impact at club level.

Injury was the original reason given for Bellamy's absence, but it has since emerged the Cardiff City forward has personal problems.

And Coleman said: "Forget football, let's hope Craig's okay. He's got problems in his personal life…he'll get through it, then he'll come out the other side, but football's by the side.

"As long as Craig's alright as a person [that's what matters].

"But that's something I can't affect. All I can affect is what I've got now and all I can concentrate on is the players I've got now and that's all I'm doing."

Wales' fixture in Novi Sad is their first against Serbia, who became an independent football nation in 2006.

Serbia, who have lost only one competitive fixture at home, began their campaign with a 0-0 draw away to Scotland.

Wales squad:

Goalkeepers: Jason Brown (Aberdeen), Boaz Myhill (West Bromwich Albion), Lewis Price (Crystal Palace).

Defenders: Darcy Blake (Crystal Palace), Chris Gunter (Reading), Joel Lynch (Huddersfield Town), Adam Matthews (Celtic), Sam Ricketts (Bolton Wanderers), Ashley Williams (Swansea City), Ben Davies (Swansea).

Midfielders: Joe Allen (Liverpool), David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Andy King (Leicester City), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal, capt), Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace), David Vaughan (Sunderland).

Forwards: Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), Simon Church (Reading), Steve Morison (Norwich City), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), Sam Vokes (Burnley), Robert Earnshaw (Cardiff City).

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Giggs Tops FA Wales Shortlist

Ryan Giggs has been targeted as the man to replace Gary Speed as Wales boss.

Speed tragically committed suicide last month and after a period of mourning, Welsh FA chiefs have now stepped up their search for his successor, with Manchester United veteran Giggs is believed to be top of their shortlist.

Wales bosses will wait until after the New Year before making their move out of respect to Speed and his family.

A Welsh source told The Sun: 'Ryan has never managed but he’s seen as a natural successor to Gary. At 38, he’s the right age to be on the same wavelength as our young team.

'We’ve had success with people in the same position. Wales was Mark Hughes’ first job as a manager but he was a success.

'Gary had very limited experience as a manager but he did a great job. Our players and fans still haven’t got over his death.'

Wales hope to have their new manager ready for their next friendly match, which is likely to be with Costa Rica — the team Speed made his playing debut against - on February 29.

Giggs could initially take charge on a part-time basis so he can juggle his playing duties with United.

Sir Alex Ferguson has already hinted that Giggs will be offerd be offered another one-year contract after this season to extend his playing career beyond the age of 38.

He said: ‘There’s absolutely no evidence at all at this moment in time that Ryan’s energy, stamina or speed are decreasing. In fact, it’s exactly the same as it was the last two or three years. It’s amazing.

‘I know it’s mid-season now and it all depends on what Ryan thinks about his future too. He knows he can’t go on forever, and we know he can’t go on forever, but on the evidence of what we’re seeing at the moment I think he can play for another year.

‘I thought at Fulham on Wednesday he was unbelievable. He controlled the midfield and I saw Danny Murphy bellowing at his strikers to get to him because Danny was finding it hard. It’s an established fact that he’s just an incredible footballer.’

Verheijen Hopes to Fulfill Speed Plan

Wales assistant manager Raymond Verheijen hopes the leadership of the national side will be decided on Monday by the Football Association of Wales.

Wales were left without a manager after Gary Speed's death last month.

"Tomorrow FAW meet about future of Wales," the Dutchman said on Twitter on Sunday night.

"Hopefully the board will respect Gary's wish so [fellow assistant] Osian Roberts and I can lead the team to Brazil."

Dutchman Verheijen added: "There is no need for a new manager with new ideas. Our success was based on Gary's clear structure. Everybody knows what to do for mission Brazil 2014."

Verheijen, who has helped coach Netherlands, Russia and South Korea's national sides, was brought into the Wales set-up when Speed was appointed in 2010.

The 40-year-old helped Speed to organise and inspire Wales to win four of their last five internationals.

He said early last month, before Speed's death, that his contract was due to expire at the end of 2011 and he was evaluating his future.

Wales will begin their World Cup campaign at home to Belgium on 7 September 2012.

FA Wales Plan Speed Celebration

The Football Association of Wales will not hold talks about finding a new manager when it meets on Thursday out of respect for Gary Speed and his family.

Reports had suggested that Thursday's meeting would include tentative talks over finding the man to fill the void left by the death of manager Speed at his family home in Cheshire on Sunday.

However, it is understood that the FAW considers any discussions of such a nature to be highly insensitive, given that Speed's funeral has yet to take place, with any deliberations set to be put on hold until at least the next council meeting in late December.

Wales do not have a game until a planned friendly in February, against as yet unnamed opposition.

The inquest into Speed's death begins on Tuesday at Warrington Coroner's Court.

A stream of tributes have poured in from around the world in memory of the former Wales, Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United midfielder.

Speed, who was part of Leeds's 1992 league championship winning side and wore the No 11 shirt will, tonight, have his name chanted by the travelling supporters for 11-minutes starting in the 11th minute when they face Nottingham Forest in the Championship at the City Ground.

The FAW, meanwhile, has opened a book of condolence at its headquarters in Cardiff, while tributes have been left outside the grounds of Speed's former clubs.

FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford spoke yesterday of the organisation's desire to find a fitting tribute to the late Wales manager.

It is understood one of the options is for the February friendly to be used as an opportunity to celebrate Speed's life and career.

Costa Rica, the country against whom Speed won the first of his 85 caps in 1990, could potentially provide the opposition although a deal for the game is not thought to be close to being agreed at this time.

In a statement issued yesterday, Speed's family admitted to being "overwhelmed" by the support they have received following his death and the tributes paid by former colleagues, supporters and the wider football community.

Hayden Evans, Speed's agent, and best man at his wedding, said: "Gary's family would sincerely like to thank all the people that have sent messages of condolence and tributes in what is a very difficult time.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support and it really has helped.

"We would ask that the family are now given the respect of some privacy to just grieve on their own."

Evans also insisted that Speed and his wife had not argued in the lead up to his death.

"Louise is saying that's not the case. She just doesn't understand it," he told The Sun.

"They were happily married and anyone who knows them will tell you that. This is why it's a mystery.

"We genuinely at the moment have no clue whatsoever what has caused it and I have been with the family all day."

He added: "Everybody is asking the same question and no one has an answer. We are all in shock."

He declined to discuss why Speed had apparently decided to take his own life. He also denied Speed was suffering from depression.

His comments came as the BBC faces calls for Speed to be honoured at the Sports personality of the Year awards.

Fans posted messages on Twitter and Facebook urging the BBC to honour Speed at the ceremony on Dec 22.

Nominations for the Coach of the Year category closed on November 18, but fans are hopeful the BBC will make an exception for Speed.

There also remains the possibility that Speed will be honoured with one of the awards which do not require a voting panel, or a special award.